Beading Arts

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

2012-01-27T09:36:00.003-05:00

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Want to help a small business out? It's so easy! With a few clicks you can help Allegory Gallery get some free advertising dollars!

About.com Jewelry Making
Are you struggling with the cost of metal right now? Tammy gives you a tip for getting the look of metal beads without the cost.

Art Bead Scene
Gaea shares some of her current favorite beading and craft related tools.

Beading Arts
Interested in publishing this year? How about starting out with a magazine?

Beads and Books
Join the spring challenge and makeover a ready-made wintry bracelet into a piece of springtime jewelry!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Everyday Gemstones from the publishers of BeadStyle magazine is beautiful, easy, and is a special Winter 2012 issue --and Jean thrilled to be in it!

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Yay for Doris!

2012-01-26T19:00:00.000-05:00

Doris, who writes By His Stripes We Are Healed blog, is the winner of the Ceramic Sculptures book! Congratulations, Doris!

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Giveaway #4 from Lark Books

2012-01-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

This is the final week!

Most of you already know that Lark Publishing gave me all eight Studio Series books to give away this month. I'm splitting them between here on Beading Arts and over on Mixed Media Artist, so please make sure you head over there when you're finished signing up here. Each week for the whole month, I'll be offering one of the books on each blog. I think that these are the perfect books to inspire you to try something new this year, and since January is traditionally the month we focus on education and all things new, the timing just couldn't be better.

***Free Stuff Alert!!!***

Last up is the Art Tiles book! Just leave me a comment below and you'll automatically be entered to win. If you tweet or post on Facebook or other social spots about the contest, you can leave a second comment and be entered twice!

Please make sure that your link will lead me to an email address, or else I won't be able to contact you. No contact, no win, and I simply have to go on to the next person. Deadline: February 2, 2012

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Recent publications: January 2012

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

Beading with Gemstones: Simply Inspired Jewelry Designs by Valerie MacCarthy

100 Beaded Flowers, Charms & Trinkets: Perfect Little Designs to Use for Gifts, Jewelry, and Accessories by Amanda Brooke Murr-Hinson

The Art of Resin Clay: Techniques and Projects for Creating Jewelry and Decorative Objects by Sherri Haab, Rachel Haab and Michelle Haab

The Beaded Bracelet: Beadweaving Techniques & Patterns for 20 Eye-Catching Projects by Carole Rodgers

Creative Pilgrimage: An Exploration of Artful Gatherings and Discovery of Innovative Art Techniques by Jenny Doh

Silversmithing for Jewelry Makers: A Handbook of Techniques and Surface Treatments by Elizabeth Bone

The Art of Metal Clay, Revised and Expanded Edition (with DVD): Techniques for Creating Jewelry and Decorative Objects by Sherri Haab

Fabric Flowers (Twenty to Make) by Kate Haxell

The Complete Photo Guide to Needlework by Linda Wyszynski

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

TAST week 4 - cretan stitch

2012-01-24T13:56:00.001-05:00

I love this stitch! It looks so good when you make it a bit uneven...or free form if you prefer that term. Of course it looks good when it's done in even rows too, but for my my Take a Stitch Tuesday quilt, with its underwater theme, I thought a couple lines of free form cretan stitch would look great running up the middle.

TAST week 1 - fly stitch
TAST week 2 - blanket stitch
TAST week 3 - cretan stitch

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Magazine submissions for beading and jewelry

2012-01-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a good goal for the new year: get published!

Do you want to write for a magazine or see your work featured in one? Then take a look through this updated list of contacts:

Bead & Button
Step by Step Wire Jewelry
Stringing
Beadwork
Bead Design Studio
Belle Armoire Jewelry
Jewelry Affaire
Jewelry Artist
Art Jewelry
BeadStyle
Bead Trends
Bead (UK)
Beads & Beyond (UK)
Where Women Create
Studios
Jill Oxton's Cross Stitch and Beading

What am I missing? Anymore that you know about?

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Reader questions about a bead embroidery bracelet

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

Hi Cyndi,
I just love your bracelet with the bottle lid. I have made one other embroidered bead cuff and am hooked. It came out pretty good for a first try. I would like to make your bracelet. Do you have a pattern I could buy? Or is it in a book? I am not much of an artist so it would definitely be a challenge to get the bracelet pattern on a backing. I plan to keep the bracelet for myself and not use a brass cuff but back the bracelet only, sewing the two pieces together. I have a very small wrist --5 1/2"--cuffs feel awkward to me and look too big. I think it would work out with a closure of some sort sewn on--what do you think?

Thanks, Shirley

Turns out that I did have a tutorial for that bead embroidery cuff, but it didn't have a specific pattern. I do think that a stitched closure would work out fine, maybe a sewn on button style like these. What I used was a very plain cuff blank, much smaller than the finished piece, and the stiffness of the beadwork helped keep the shape firm around the edges. I also suggested to Shirley that she help herself to the free download of my first e-book chapter, titled Bead Embroidery Stitches.

FREE e-BOOK CHAPTER

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Yay for Hajer!

2012-01-23T07:30:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Hajer, who writes My Beaded World. She won a copy of the the Pendants book from Lark!

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

2012-01-20T08:38:00.004-05:00

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Valentine's Day is one of the most delightful days on Jean's calendar! Why? Because she gets to think about love, and jewelry such as the astounding pendants at NanoStyle! Tell your beloved "I love you" in a most incredible way!

A Bead A Day
Interested in using plastic to create special Valentine's Day Jewelry? Here are a couple of pieces for inspiration.

About.com Jewelry Making
What is better than some beaded embroidery how-to for a buck? Errr..nothing!

Art Bead Scene
Heather offers a beautiful free project inspired from high in the treetops!

Beading Arts
Cyndi has been trying to encourage everyone to get out there and take a class this year!

Beads & Books
See the 30+ beautiful winter jewelry designs in the Secret Snowflake Challenge. Participants used techniques such as bead embroidery, resin, stringing, wirework, etching, and more!

Charlene Sevier Jewelry
Sometimes jewelry acts up a little before it comes together. Charlene shares one of those times.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie looks back at an older post where a favorite song inspired a series of wing themed pendants.

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Giveaway #3 from Lark Books

2012-01-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

Most of you already know that Lark Publishing gave me all eight Studio Series books to give away this month. I'm splitting them between here on Beading Arts and over on Mixed Media Artist, so please make sure you head over there when you're finished signing up here. Each week for the whole month, I'll be offering one of the books on each blog. I think that these are the perfect books to inspire you to try something new this year, and since January is traditionally the month we focus on education and all things new, the timing just couldn't be better.

***Free Stuff Alert!!!***

Next up is the Ceramic Sculptures book! Just leave me a comment below and you'll automatically be entered to win. If you tweet or post on Facebook or other social spots about the contest, you can leave a second comment and be entered twice!

Please make sure that your link will lead me to an email address, or else I won't be able to contact you. No contact, no win, and I simply have to go on to the next person. Deadline: January 26, 2012

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Look what I got from Jean!

2012-01-18T12:25:00.003-05:00

Most of you know my friend Jean Yates, who writes Snap out of it Jean! There's beading to be done! For those who don't, I would suggest that you get acquainted...Jean is totally delightful. You'll find her links in my weekly blogging round-up posts each Friday morning. In fact, it was one of those posts that led me to visit her one day and leave a comment, because she was giving away a set of those stunning beads you see at the top of the post. Amazing, huh?

The beads are handmade by Beaded Lily, and I just can't WAIT to make something with them. You'll be the first to see it when I do :-)

Thank you, Jean!

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Business or hobby?

2012-01-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

So many people dream of having a jewelry making business. I'd like to ask you one thing: why?

Have you really thought about whether you want a jewelry business? Have you considered that there is absolutely nothing wrong with NOT having one? That it's ok to decide to have a jewelry hobby, or maybe to sell just enough to support that hobby?

Here are a couple of terrific posts and videos which lay it all out. As we head full-steam ahead into a new year, I hope you'll find these thoughts helpful in clarifying your own goals, dreams, and plans!

Megan Auman, who writes Designing an MBA, has a post called Running your business vs. pursuing your hobby that you won't want to miss. You'll need to read it along with the podcast that she did for Crafty Pod. Megan assures us that there is absolutely nothing wrong with just wanting a hobby, and the realities of running a business are not for everyone.

Jennifer VanBenschoten tackles a slightly smaller question in To sell or not to sell? She focuses on the issue of whether or not to part with a specific piece that you've made!

Diane Gilleland goes on to look at the question, Does the money automatically follow from doing what you love? Short answer: nope. If you are not intentional about it, a business may or may not grow from your actions. Read this post...it's very helpful, and Diane also discusses something that we don't like to think about: most people who are "successful" in creative businesses are not making most of their income solely from selling their wares. You can argue with her if you like, but I think there's a lot of truth in what she's suggesting.

Watch live streaming video from etsy at livestream.com

Crafting a Well-Rounded Business

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

TAST week 3 - feather stitch

2012-01-17T15:59:00.001-05:00

The edges of my Take a Stitch Tuesday quilt are slowly starting to fill up! This week featured one of my favorite stitches, feather stitch, so I really enjoyed myself this afternoon, running a couple rows of the stitch along an edge and adding some shell and beads to it.

My theme for the quilt is an underwater kelp garden, so I could very easily end up adding more feather stitch before the piece is done. I just don't want to go overboard right now, not knowing what stitches are coming up in the following weeks. This has really been fun!

TAST week 1 - fly stitch
TAST week 2 - blanket stitch

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Online jewelry and beading education

2012-01-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

There's so much to be said for classes...being able to see the technique demonstrated, being able to ask questions, mixing and mingling and meeting new people. It's all good. Unfortunately, it's not always possible for everyone to go somewhere to take a class.

Fortunately, there is the internet!

There are two main categories of posts on Beading Arts that will lead you to lots of techniques, tips, tutorials, and fun new projects to try. There are also new resources that I'll be adding to these categories pretty regularly. There will be some overlap on these lists. Sorry, but it's unavoidable :-)

The Basics - Getting Started - online instruction to help take the place of basic classes

Tutorials & Techniques - all kinds of beading and jewelry how-tos

There are other class and tutorial resources all over the internet, and I've included quite a few of them below. Note that not all of them are free. If you'd like to share a source that you think I've missed, please do! I'd love to be able to have the most complete list of resource links for online learning anywhere!

E-courses by Tammy Powley
Free resources from the About.com guide

JewelryLessons
Featuring tutorials by Eni Oken and friends

Interweave Store
Online store of projects

Bead Patterns
Especially helpful for seed bead patterns

Ganoksin
An unbelievable database of jewelry making tutorials

Beaducation
Online classes by nationally known teachers

Polymer Clay Tutor
Videos and much more by Cindy Lietz

Jewelry Making Professor
Lots of helpful videos

Instructional sheets at Rings & Things

Bead and wire charts from SoftFlex

Beginner course from the Land of Odds

Instructions from Fire Mountain Gems

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Jewelry and beading school classes

2012-01-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

American Jeweler's Institute in Oregon

Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts in Tennesee

Boca Raton Museum of Art - The Art School in Florida

Colorado School of Jewelry & Metalarts

Idyllwild Arts in California

Jewelry Creations Workshop in Florida

John C Campbell Folk School in North Carolina

Lillstreet Art Center in Illinois

Miami Jewelry School in Florida

Northwest Gemological Institute in Washington

Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts in California

Rye Arts Center in New York

Studio Jewelers Ltd in New York City

3rd Ward in Brooklyn, New York

I'm sure there are more schools and non-profit organizations that offer classes. Can you think of any to add? Leave me a comment with your suggestions and I'll add them to the list!

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

2012-01-13T08:37:00.001-05:00

Resin Crafts!
Carmi has a two part series featuring resin on agate!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Margot Potter, Swarovski, the incredible low down on the most fab event at Tucson this year! You must check this out!!! WOW!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi declares 2012 as the Year of The Knot!

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Yay for Shel!!

2012-01-12T18:47:00.003-05:00

Michelle, aka Shel, writes MiShel Designs, and she is the WINNER of our Earrings book, the first Lark book giveaway this month!! You might remember that Shel gave us an up close and personal view of going to Tucson last year.

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Giveaway #2 from Lark Books

2012-01-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

***Free Stuff Alert!!!***

Next up is the Pendants book! Just leave me a comment below and you'll automatically be entered to win. If you tweet or post on Facebook or other social spots about the contest, you can leave a second comment and be entered twice!

Please make sure that your link will lead me to an email address, or else I won't be able to contact you. No contact, no win, and I simply have to go on to the next person. Deadline: January 19, 2012

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

"Three Bezels Plus a Bonus" is ready to go!

2012-01-11T11:45:00.001-05:00

I've just launched my newest bead embroidery e-booklet! Three Bezels Plus a Bonus looks at how to add Swarovski rivolis to your bead embroidery and dress them up with three creative bezeling techniques. Additionally, you'll receive step-by-step advice on how to bezel around an irregularly shaped cabochon.

For only $1, you can download your own copy of this 30 page e-booklet if you're interested in this topic.

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

How to get your work featured on Beading Arts in 2012

2012-01-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

Hanging the Moon

If you'd like to share a piece you've made, all you have to do is shoot me an email to cyndi @ mazeltovjewelry . com (remove the spaces). Please put beading arts image to share in the subject line. We love to read about things like what inspired you to make the piece and any challenges that you faced, so tell us a bit about yourself and the image that you're sending. Please size your image to 72 dpi resolution, and make it no wider than 600px. I'll gladly share your website and/or blog link along with your image and description.

If you'd like to consider sharing an in depth artist profile with us (see Artist Profiles for past examples), just put beading arts artist profile in the subject line. I'll send you the questions that I ask profiled artists to consider...I think you'll be able to tell from those questions whether or not you'll want to do a full profile. If it seems to be too much, you could simply send me an artist statement that covers what materials you like best and what inspires you, along with about 3 images you'd like to feature.

Do you have a favorite technique that you'd like to share in a tutorial? You know we'd love to see that...as beaders and jewelry-makers, we are always looking for new ideas. If that's the case, use beading arts tutorial in the subject line and tell me briefly what you're thinking about sharing with us.

I'm always looking for new artists to promote and profile as well as established favorites! So please don't be shy...send me that query!

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

TAST week 2 - blanket stitch

2012-01-10T13:52:00.000-05:00

Here is my second Take a Stitch Tuesday entry. This week is blanket stitch, which is also known as buttonhole stitch. Since I usually refer to it as blanket stitch on Mixed Media Artist, that's the term I'll use here. The image above is the unadorned quilt top. Each week (more or less!), I'll show you the little area that I add stitching to, but I'm not going to show you updates of the entire quilt top until it's finished.

Below is the blanket stitch sample I did. The entire quilt is actually pieced together by hand with blanket stitch, as you can see in the photo, but that's not the sample part! I added a couple of strands of fuzzy yarn using blanket stitch to couch them in place, and then I added a second row of blanket stitch below the first so that some of the arms would stick out. I made the arms uneven lengths to make it a bit more interesting, since all of the piecing blanket stitch that I do during quilt construction is fairly even...or at least it's supposed to be!

TAST week 1 - fly stitch

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Book review: 21st Century Jewelry

2012-01-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

Maybe you don't collect the Lark Publishing 500 Series the way I do, but if not, this is one that you don't want to miss. 21st Century Jewelry: The best of the 500 series is a compilation book, created by Marthe Le Van and a team of jury experts. This volume has selected the best of the best from the last 10 years of brilliant Lark books featuring art jewelry.

Even though I've seen most (all?) the books that these brilliant pieces are culled from, I ended up seeing them in new ways and really enjoying the additional information provided by the jurors about what the pieces mean to them. And I rediscovered some amazing art jewelry artists. The pieces range from very traditional to extremely experimental, and even unwearable. But all had something arresting about them: the beauty of a perfectly cut stone, a line, a color palette, beautiful balance.

I was totally taken by Kath Inglis's Skin-Deep Bangles (one shown above), which are totally contemporary and totally captivating. You can see more of Kath's work on her site. I also re-fell in love with Jessica Morrison's organic style of gold and fine silver jewelry (one shown below). Can't get much more different than these two artists are from each other, huh? A trip through this book, taken over a number of days, is guaranteed to refill the well!

Do you like resin rather than stones? You'll find Lulu Smith's work captivating then:

Plastic fantastic? Don't forget about Peter Chang, one of my current favorites:

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Three Bezels Plus a Bonus

2012-01-09T12:13:00.000-05:00

I am just about ready to launch my newest e-booklet! Three Bezels Plus a Bonus looks at how to add Swarovski rivolis to your bead embroidery through three creative bezeling techniques. Additionally, you'll receive step-by-step advice on how to bezel around an irregularly shaped cabochon.

Three Bezels Plus a Bonus, 2012, 30 pages, $1

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Jewelry and beading shows with classes

2012-01-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

Jewelry and beading classes are offered all throughout the extravaganza in early February in Tucson. Here is some general information on Tucson, including a map: Show guide: an overview

Besides Tucson, there are many beading shows throughout the rest of the year that also offer classes. Why should you take a class this year? Why not just learn everything online (preferably for free)? Well, there are actually lots of good reasons to go the hands-on route, and here are just a few of my best tips: you won't waste as much in materials, you'll learn the techniques properly and efficiently, you'll have a chance to have your technique corrected if need be, and you'll figure out which tools and materials you must have as opposed to just want to have!

The Innovative Beads Expo
Shows and classes in the northeast only.

Bead&Button Show
Milwaukee, WI.

Best Bead Shows (Crystal Myths)
Tucson, AZ. Click on Bead Shows.

To Bead True Blue
Tucson, AZ.

Down the Street Bead Shows
Southeast locations only. Click on Class sign up page

Puget Sound Bead Festival
Puget Sound, WA. Click on Classes

Gem and Jewelry Show (JOGS)
Tucson, AZ. Click on Classes

Intergalactic Bead and Jewelry Shows
Click on Classes for each individual show

International Gem and Jewelry Shows
Free beginner workshops with Wendy Simpson Conner
Click here for Wendy's schedule

Interweave Bead and Jewelry Events:
Bead Fest classes

Whole Bead Show
Click on city to see class schedule

MJSA Expo
New York City

Adorn Me!
Art Unraveled's wearables workshops

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

2012-01-06T08:13:00.000-05:00

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie starts a new blog project for the year, being inspired by places of the imagination. Read about the first month's inspiration of places in the sky.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean's involved in a new project! It's jewelry, wait--it's crafts, no--hold on--it's dolls, no wait! It's a book! Hold on to your hats! It's a whole bunch of fun and it is debuting this week! See more on Jean's blog!

About.com Jewelry Making
Step up from the basic pearl post earrings with this dangle earring tutorial.

Art Bead Scene
It's the start of a new year and a new month and that means a new Art Bead Scene challenge! Check out the beautiful color palette that we pulled from a William Morris wallpaper design.

Beading Arts
Have you heard about Take a Stitch Tuesday?

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Call for casting

2012-01-05T15:02:00.002-05:00

Click image for readable version

The show will be shooting in LA at the end of February and through March. The time commitment is only about 3 - 4 days. Casting will proceed until all spots are filled. There is no website or network being disclosed at this time.

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Giveaways all month long!

2012-01-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about the opportunity that Lark Publishing has given me! I think you already know how much I love their books: the photography, the layouts, the projects in general...I think they publish some of the best inspiration and how-to books that you'll find anywhere. And I just love the little Studio Series, where they've taken over 100 selections of the best pieces from the 500 Series. It's like having a pocket-sized art gallery...except that your pocket needs to be a bit bigger than average ;-)

Anyway, get to the point Cyndi!!

Lark gave me all eight Studio Series books to give away. Yes, that's right...score!! And I'm going to split them between here on Beading Arts and over on Mixed Media Artist, so please make sure you head over there when you're finished signing up here. Each week for the whole month, I'll be offering one of the books on each blog. I think that these are the perfect books to inspire you to try something new this year, and since January is traditionally the month we focus on education and all things new, the timing just couldn't be better.

So here we go...

***Free Stuff Alert!!!***

I'm going to start with the Earrings book! Just leave me a comment below and you'll automatically be entered to win. If you tweet or post on Facebook or other social spots about the contest, you can leave a second comment and be entered twice!

Please make sure that your link will lead me to an email address, or else I won't be able to contact you. No contact, no win, and I simply have to go on to the next person. Deadline: January 12, 2012

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Calls for entries and submissions

2012-01-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

Bead-It-Forward bead quilt project

Deadline: 03/01/12

Bead Dreams

Deadline: 03/06/12

The Ugly Necklace Contest
Deadline: 03/15/12

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

TAST week 1 - fly stitch

2012-01-03T14:43:00.000-05:00

I told you a few weeks ago that I had decided to join the stitching challenge run by Sharon Boggon, called Take a Stitch Tuesday. So here's my first weekly entry. I've decided to add the stitches that seem appropriate to this manipulated fabric quilt that I've been working on. Stitches that don't seem to fit will just end up on some scrap cloth, so I can't promise that I'll be posting about TAST every week. But I was excited to get started today ;-)

The quilt instructions will be posted on Mixed Media Artist soon, and I'll be sharing more details shots and explaining how it was made. In the meantime, the first TAST stitch is fly stitch, and that seemed just perfect to add to the upper right border of my painted silk pieces.

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Art Jewelry inspiration

2012-01-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

Poseidon's Embrace by Rebeca Mojica

My word! Just when you get jaded and think you've seen everything that can be done with metal, plastic, resin, clay, and other alternative materials, along comes Art Jewelry Magazine to knock your socks off! This amazing piece by Rebeca Mojica (above) is featured in the July 2011 issue, and you can also see it plus plenty more in the Magazine Gallery that is available online.

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Color and style forecast for Spring/Summer 2012

2012-01-02T08:15:00.000-05:00

Pantone Color of the Year, 2012

Do you like orange? Better get used to it, because this "spirited reddish orange" has been named the color of the year for 2012: Tangerine Tango. “Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

Of course, there are plenty of other choices!

You can download a pdf report from Pantone free at this link, and you'll see the above chart in much better detail. As we've discussed before, I know that not all of you pay attention to color and fashion trends, but for those who do, I think it's clear that the rest of the palette is much cooler than this warm reddish orange. So what to do? Stock up on gold, copper, and warm metal findings? Stick with the color palette you like best? Work with the extended analogous palette or the complementary one? Some bluey green jewelry would certainly make a Tangerine Tango dress pop!

For those who want more, here are some additional color and fashion links for you to check out for 2012:

Lenzing Spring/Summer 2012 Color Trends

NILIT BodyFashion and Activeware Trends

Color Code: Neon

Spring/Summer 2012 Fashion Colors: Lavender Blue

Pantone: The 20th Century in Color

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Jewelry education for 2012

2012-01-02T08:00:00.001-05:00

Every year, I feel that I need to add some new techniques to my repertoire. Last year, I shared a lot of education opportunities with you, and I feel that the series was very successful in spurring some folks on to try some new things. I hope you'll take the challenge again this year, and pick something new to work on, and maybe even to master, in 2012. Here are links to my updated posts about various jewelry education opportunities.

Free bead embroidery stitches e-book

Information and tutorials to get you started

Know your jewelry terms

Jumpstart your learning curve with a kit

Do you want to design for yourself?

Take A Stitch Tuesday 2012

Spring/Summer 2012 color and style forecast

Jewelry and beading shows with classes

Jewelry and beading school classes

Online jewelry and beading education

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See you in a week!

2011-12-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

Love you all! I'm taking the week off and will see you in 2012!!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

Yay for Regina!

2011-12-24T17:00:00.000-05:00

Regina, who posts on Regina's Writings, is the winner of the terrific book Color, Texture & Casting for Jewelers that we were giving away! Congratulations, Regina!

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

2011-12-23T08:53:00.002-05:00

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi has a post about Natural Touch resin beads and making them your own.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean discovered a wonderful way to boost your inspiration! It's called DOTS--and you must get some! :)

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Embrace the holiday spirit of giving and bid on one of the fantastic "Artists Helping Artists" auctions going on to help Penny of SparrowSalvage!

About.com Jewelry Making
Don't get hung up on hang tags. Learn some easy options for creating earring cards and hang tags.

Art Bead Scene
On the 6th Day of Christmas, Gaea posted a fun beaded holiday card hanger project! Check out all 12 Days of Christmas projects on the Art Bead Scene blog!

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Book review: Dimensional Bead Embroidery

2011-12-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

One of my personal favorite bead embroiderers, Jamie Cloud Eakin, has a new book published by Lark called Dimensional Bead Embroidery. What I really really like about this book is the exact thing that I've heard others criticize about it: it is a reference guide, almost an encyclopedia of techniques, and not so much a project book. Oh yes, there some projects in it, of course, and they are lovely. But they are not really the main attraction, in my opinion.

Jamie has eight chapters full of information on everything you'll need to know to add focus and interest to your basic back stitch. She covers materials and tools, basic stitches, basics of design, adding components, dimensional surface stitches, bezel stitches, edging techniques, and attachment stitches. Although she covers some of the same topics as in her very popular book Beading with Cabochons, all of the techniques in Dimensional Bead Embroidery are new. If you already own Beading with Cabochons, you will no doubt want this book as well. I think that the methodical way that Jamie takes you through each topic is excellent, and it will make it extremely easy for you to find exactly the portion that you want to refresh on in the future as you create your own works of art!

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Recent publications: December

2011-12-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

The Art of Wire: Creative Techniques for Designer Jewelry by J. Marsha Michler

Earring Chic: 35 Hand-Selected Projects by Jennifer Claydon

Irina's Inspirations for Jewelry: From the Exotic to the Everyday by Irina Miech

Artistic Seed Bead Jewelry: Ideas and Techniques for Original Designs by Maggie Roschyk

The Encyclopedia of Wire Jewelry Techniques: A Compendium of Step-by-Step Techniques for Making Wire-Based Jewelry by Sara Withers and Xuella Arnold

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Beaded ornament covers

2011-12-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

Crocheted beaded ornament covers

Most of the ornament covers you see out there are not for beginners, but the results are spectacular! A really motivated beginner could tackle some of them, and if you'd really like to have a go at it, I'd recommend working through some of the easy ones on this list to get the idea of how they go together. From there, dive into the more difficult ones!

There are many kits available, and patterns that you can buy. Some beading magazines also have patterns, and if you want to make the really elaborate ones, you're probably going to have to buy a pattern or kit. Still, here's a selection of the free patterns that are available:

Easy beaded ornament cover

Just peachy ornament cover

Crocheted beaded ornament covers

Beginner's beaded ornament cover

Easy netted ornament cover

Beaded ornament cover

Victorian beaded Christmas tree ornament

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Yay for Jackie!!

2011-12-19T19:28:00.000-05:00

Jackie, who writes FiddleDeeDee Jewelry, is the winner of the book Ring a Day! Congratulations, Jackie!

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Book review and giveaway: Color, Texture, & Casting for Jewelers

2011-12-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

Have you been thinking about ways that you can set your jewelry apart from the crowd? One way is to cast your own metal pieces or work with other hot metal applications. Carles Codina has written an introduction to the various techniques that may interest you if you've been thinking along these lines. Color, Texture & Casting for Jewelers is a practical demonstration style book that walks you through metal combinations, texture and patinas, modeling and many forms of casting.

I was especially interested in the section on patinas. We're all familiar with liver of sulfur when working with silver, but there are lots of other chemical and heat treatments that will yield additional colors. Casting is another topic that I find fascinating. When I was in college, I did some lost-wax casting, but I never felt it was really for me. Carles covers other forms of casting, including sand and cuttlebone. Who'd have thought?

The metal combination section was much more interesting than I expected. It covers keum boo, plating, mokume gane, and granulation. Although I love the look of all these techniques, they do not really interest me to try. Nevertheless, I do love learning about the techniques and understanding how they work so that I can better appreciate the work of other artists!

If you've been thinking that you'd like to move your career along and explore some more advanced techniques, this might be just the book you've been looking for. I wouldn't recommend it for a complete beginner: the practical application projects are more advanced than most beginners would feel comfortable with. But if you've already got some experience working hot, this might be just the book to help you find your next direction!

***Free Stuff Alert!!!***

And now you have a chance to win this book! Just leave me a comment below and you'll automatically be entered to win. If you tweet or post on Facebook or other social spots about the contest, you can leave a second comment and be entered twice!

Please make sure that your link will lead me to an email address, or else I won't be able to contact you. No contact, no win, and I simply have to go on to the next person. Deadline: December 24, 2011.

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Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

2011-12-16T08:39:00.003-05:00

Art Bead Scene
Jennifer decks the halls with a super colorful, Jangles styled bead garland, and her free tutorial will show you how to make one too!

Carmi's Art/Life World
This week I made a beautiful component even better!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean has fun being a new designer blogger for Nina Designs! Come and see what she made!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew shares a couple of magazines that he was recently published in.

A Bead A Day
Share your holiday jewelry on A Bead A Day blog. Just leave a comment or send an email to get your work featured!

About.com Jewelry Making
No time to make beaded ornaments? This is so not true when you have this super fast and inexpensive tutorial to help you.

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Some more jewelry gifts for the holidays

2011-12-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

Frosty star earrings

Whether you want to make something festive to wear to a party or are planning on making jewelry gifts for others this year, here are some great ideas to get you going. I've tried to include patterns here that will be appropriate for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Solstice. Please feel free to add more links (free patterns only, please) in the comments below. When it comes to the holidays, you can never have too many options!

Victorian Christmas necklace

Crystal ladder bracelet

Stitched stockings

Christmas earrings with patterns

Holiday images necklace

Frosty star earrings

Five Golden Rings bracelet

Holly Berry Earrings

Sugar plum swirls necklace

Evergreen star earrings

Berry bracelet bead pattern

The Eighth Gift Earrings

Holiday beaded bracelet

Christmas Tree necklace

Swarovski Christmas tutorials

Beading Daily free seed bead patterns

Holiday jewelry advice from Margie Deeb

How to design a jewelry gift by Tammy Powley

Sugar plum swirls necklace

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InaRae's mixed media necklace

2011-12-14T08:15:00.000-05:00

InaRae, who writes BCreativeU, contacted me recently with this lovely bit of news:

I made a necklace following directions you had in a 2007 Jewelry Crafts magazine. It isn't as good as I would like but it was a start, and the next one? Maybe?Anyway thanks, you are always an amazing inspiration.

I have to say that the real inspiration is seeing what other people do with the kernel of an idea, whether it's mine or someone else's. Isn't creativity and art-making amazing?

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Calls for entries and submissions

2011-12-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Crafts National 2012
Deadline: 01/06/12


Bead Soup Blog Party
Deadline: 01/07 - 10/12


Metal clay, metal beads, wirework, or chain, FMG
Deadline: 01/10/12


Belle Armoire Jewelry
Deadline 01/15/12


Metal Clay Design Competition
Deadline: 01/30/12


Rock 'n' Rollo challenge
Deadline: 01/31/12


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Beaded jewelry as decorations

2011-12-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

Victorian pendant/ornament from Artbeads

Have you ever thought of using your beaded jewelry as garlands? How about to decorate Christmas lights or to enhance another gift? Here are some great projects that are fast and easy to do, and will leave your house (and packages) looking elegant and festive!

Holiday earring patterns are available for free all over the internet, and they make wonderful ornaments as well. You can even use the regular shepherd's hook earring findings so that both you and your tree can wear them! Some of my favorite quick patterns are on About.com's Beadwork site (link above).

Is it a pendant, an ornament, or a gift tag? How about all three? This square stitch rosette pattern holds many possibilities.

And how about these darling little beaded wire trees by Fusion Beads?

Small beaded wreathes for your tree? These can be made to be elegant or cute, depending upon the beads you choose.

Five more beading ideas from Beading Daily.

Fun ways to use beaded jewelry at Christmas on the Bead Jewelry Blog.

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Yay for Nancy!

2011-12-12T16:53:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Nancy Markosky, who won our Chains Chains Chains book giveaway!

Book review and giveaway: Ring a Day

2011-12-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

Ring lovers, take note! You are definitely going to want to see this volume, Ring a Day, from Lark Publishing. Marthe Le Van has chosen 700 photos from last year's Ring a Day challenge. Marthe writes in the introduction, "When I heard that a group of jewelers was creating one new ring per day for an entire calendar year, three thoughts immediately came to mind -- This is brilliant! This is completely mad! Where do I sign up?"

Some of the entries are wearable and wonderful. Some will make you scratch your head. Others will make you roll your eyes. All will make you wonder why you didn't get in on this project :-) That's why I'm telling you about it now...what's to prevent you from setting up a challenge like this with some of your friends? There's a whole new year coming soon...

The participants are listed and all the photos are identified by materials, artist, and technique, but this is purely not a project book. It's a chronicle and an inspiration, but you'll find no instructions here, just great photos!

***Free Stuff Alert!!!***

And now you have a chance to win this book! Just leave me a comment below and you'll automatically be entered to win. If you tweet or post on Facebook or other social spots about the contest, you can leave a second comment and be entered twice!

Please make sure that your link will lead me to an email address, or else I won't be able to contact you. No contact, no win, and I simply have to go on to the next person. Deadline: December 19, 2011.

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Gift guide for handmade jewelry lovers

2011-12-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

All year long, Beading Arts brings you the best, most innovative, creative, and NICEST bead and jewelry makers for you to drool over! I put out a call to those who have shared their passion and creativity with you in the past, and here are the results: special offers and unique gifts for all!

Ann Kruglak Free dreamwork consultation by email with any purchase (can be given as a gift also). My work is mainly gift items such as earrings, clocks, mirrors, bookmarks, wine stoppers, ornaments, candle holders, and larger sculpture, wall art and masks. All proceeds go to rainforest preservation. Please Note: My shop will be closed until 12/13 as I will be in Bali. Please visit me soon!

Change of hART & Destash Closeout handmade jewelry & destash supplies.50% OFF all finished jewelry with coupon code CLOSEOUT50. 30% OFF all supplies & kits with coupon code hART30.FREE DOMESTIC SHIPPING on all US orders with coupon code FREESHIPDAY

Burnt Offerings An eclectic selection of artwork, jewelry, prints, and unique art supplies for your holiday gift giving needs!

DenisePerreault Through 2011, get 25% off my bead sculpture "The Stoning," or any fandangle in stock.

VanessaSellsSupplies Specializing in aluminum disks and leaf shapes to add pizzazz to beaded and chainmail jewelry.

KaliButterfly Handcrafted aluminum chainmail jewelry. Hypo-allergenic and lightweight jewelry is perfect for holiday gifts.

Kristin Diener, MFA Diener studio in downtown Albuquerque New Mexico has ongoing beginning and continuing classes in jewelrymaking/metalsmithing/small metals.

Delia Marsellos-Traister Wearable art-jewelry for loving and wearing and gemstones for your work. Free shipping on many items.

Images: Stock.xchng

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Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

2011-12-09T08:57:00.001-05:00

About.com Jewelry Making
Time and money are items many of us don't have much of right now, but not to worry. These simple projects are just what you need to inexpensively spread some holiday jewelry love.

Beads & Books
Michelle turns an inexpensive printer's tray from a craft store into a beautiful display for a jewelry show.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi has a series of bezels filled with last year's Christmas cards to share this week.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean hosts a very lovely giveaway from the sublime bead and jewelry store in Florence, Italy, Beaded Lily!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew creates a piece to be silently auctioned off to help a fellow artist out! Bid on his necklace to win and check out all the other fantastic auctions going on!

A Bead A Day
If you are looking for some fabulous giveaways by a wide variety of artists and crafters, Lisa is linking you up!

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Gift books for the holidays

2011-12-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Here are the books that I would most recommend for gift giving this year, whether they're for you or for a beading friend!

For Beginners: Do you know someone who wants to get started with beading and jewelry making? These are all good books which teach the basics of their various media.

New Dimensions in Bead and Wire Jewelry by Margot Potter

Endless Sparkle by Aimee Carpenter

The Absolute Beginners Guide: Stitching Beaded Jewelry: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started by Lesley Weiss

Making Elegant Jewelry for Special Occasions by the editors of BeadStyle

Beading in No Time by Linda Peterson

Jewelry and Beading Designs for Dummies by Heather H Dismore & Tammy Powley

Designing Jewelry with Semiprecious Beads by Kim Gover

Create Jewelry - Glass by Marlene Blessing and Jamie Hogsett

Chain Style by Jane Dickerson

Shaped Beadwork by Diane Fitzgerald

Metalworking 101 for Beaders by Candie Cooper

Crystal Brilliance by Anna Elizabeth Draeger

Bead Embroidery Stitches by Cyndi Lavin (free download)

*****

For Earring Lovers: What more can I say? You can never have too many earrings!

Simply Earrings by Lark Publishing

101 Wire Earrings, Step-by-Step Projects and Techniques by Denise Peck

A Year in Earrings: 365 Designs and Variations by the Editors of BeadStyle magazine

Earring Chic: 35 Hand-Selected Projects by Jennifer Claydon

*****

For Those Who Want It All: So many media, so little time. Any of these books will help you take your work to the next level!

Metalwork Jewelry by Linda Peterson

Classical Elegance by Maggie Meister

Bead Riffs by Rachel Nelson-Smith

Patterns in Polymer by Julie Picarello

Sensational Bead Embroidery by Sherry Serafini

Handcrafted Wire Findings by Denise Peck and Jane Dickerson

Mixed Metal Mania by Kim St Jean

Lacy Wire Jewelry by Melody MacDuffee

Classic Chain Mail Jewelry by Sue Ripsch

mbellished Beadweaving by Laura McCabe

Totally Twisted by Kerry Bogert

Enchanted Adornments by Cynthia Thornton

Ancient Modern Polymer Clay and Wire Jewelry by Ronna Sarvas Weltman

The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jewelry Making Techniques by Vannetta Seecharran

Seed Bead Fusion by Rachel Nelson-Smith

Custom Cool Jewelry by Melinda Barta

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Beaded ornaments for your tree or table

2011-12-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

Beaded glass serving tray

Here are some projects that will help to bring the generations of beaders together in your family this year. I wouldn't recommend putting the beaded tea lights on your tree, but all the rest of these projects make nice tree ornaments as well as table top decorations.

Small beaded Christmas tree - a great way to use up all your leftover beads!

Beaded glass serving tray - choose beads and wire to match you own decor.

Beaded snowflake ornament - beads and pins...easy easy easy!

Golden beaded pear - not difficult to make but a bit time-consuming (shown above). Can you picture a set of these in a bowl on the table or hanging from your tree?

Star, candycane, and wreath - easy to make beaded ornaments that kids will enjoy helping with.

Safety pin tea lights - I've seen lots of flag pins and bracelets made from beaded safety pins, but I've never seen tea lights before!

Fuse bead ornaments - another great project to do with the kids!

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Book review and giveaway: Chains Chains Chains

2011-12-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

Think you know all there is to know about chains? I can guarantee that this book, Chains Chains Chains, will open your eyes and get your imagination working overtime with new ideas. Have you ever seen links that are a flock of birds? How about chain links that portray lakes from a map? Or scribble marks. Some of these chains are made from wire, and some are from sheet metal, so the variety is amazing.

Chains Chains Chains is an edited volume from Lark Books, so you'll probably recognize some of your favorite designers here, and lots that are destined to become your new favorites!

There is a basics section in the back of the book that covers the properties of different metals, bench tools and equipment you'll need, and basic techniques. The techniques include annealing, cleaning, transferring designs, sawing, filing, dapping, chasing, riveting, shaping, melting, soldering, pickling, and finishing. Even though this section is pretty extensive, I still think this book is best for those with some metal experience or very motivated beginners.

***Free Stuff Alert!!!***

And now you have a chance to win this book! Just leave me a comment below and you'll automatically be entered to win. If you tweet or post on Facebook or other social spots about the contest, you can leave a second comment and be entered twice!

Please make sure that your link will lead me to an email address, or else I won't be able to contact you. No contact, no win, and I simply have to go on to the next person. Deadline: December 12, 2011.

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Gift guide for handmade jewelry lovers

2011-12-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

All year long, Beading Arts brings you the best, most innovative, creative, and NICEST bead and jewelry makers for you to drool over! I put out a call to those who have shared their passion and creativity with you in the past, and here are the results: special offers and unique gifts for all!

Nancy Tobey Until January 31st - a pair of earring beads with every purchase of $50 or more.

Michele Palenik I can make you the best gift-giver on the block! Off the rack or custom designs always available. Bundle your purchases and I will include a free gift and super saver shipping.

Lissie Design Free shipping until next year!

Annika deGroot Micro-Macrame Jewelry Artist creating intricately knotted designs for your holiday gift giving.

Change of hART Distinctive one-of-a-kind jewelry & custom wedding flowers. 10% OFF all items in the Clearance Section with coupon code SPECIAL11 from now through the end of the year.

Sylvia Windhurst Unique beaded and embroidered jewelry and accessories. Shipping is always free within the USA, and your orders will come in a gift box.

Ling-Yen Designs 41st annual crafts fair to benefit the Mendocino Schools Enrichment programs.

Cheri C Meyer Unique handcrafted jewelry art, offering free shipping anywhere and check out the sale section in my Etsy shop!

Nancy Peterson of Beaver Island Jewelry will be offering a free zipper pull with any purchase from her website if you mention Beading Arts blog! Beaver Island Jewelry offers handmade glass lampwork beads and jewelry made with these beads.

Blueridge Diva Designs Features artisan designed seed bead jewelry and accessories, to enhance your beauty and style!

Kydo Jewellery Keep Your Dreams Original! Elegant Handmade Art Jewelry is a beautiful gift for any season.

Jackie R Jewelry Give a Gift of Beautiful Gemstone Jewelry! Promotional sale on now.

Steider Studios Kilnformed glass home decor and personal adornment. Complimentary standard shipping through December 10th.

Gila Leah, Jewelry for the Unique Woman Find Jewish jewelry for Chanukah gifts – also unique, Quality, handcrafted pieces with sterling silver, shells, ribbons, stones… at my online store

Images: Stock.xchng

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TAST 2012 - Take a Stitch Tuesday

2011-12-02T11:31:00.001-05:00

I've decided to join the stitching challenge run by Sharon Boggon, called Take a Stitch Tuesday. Each week Sharon introduces a new embroidery stitch that participants can practice and expand upon. Sound like fun? Sign ups are still going on over at the TAST home page!

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

2011-12-02T10:53:00.001-05:00

A Bead A Day
Looking for some easy and fun holiday jewelry making projects? Lisa is sharing a few new ones this week. Snowflake earrings, jingle bell rings and simple Swarovski crystal earrings!

About.com Jewelry Making
There is still time to make some awesome (and easy) beaded ornaments.

Art Bead Scene
Marie Cramp shares some beautiful examples of using the colors from art pendant focals to inspire a necklace design.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi has a little post about working with hemp cord this week!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean is so excited about the wonderful opportunity to win 150 dollars worth of Nina Designs components! For details, please see her blog!

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

A month of holiday tutorials

2011-12-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

Cobalt and crystal bracelet

So, who's making jewelry gifts this year? Raise your hands...who hasn't exactly gotten started yet?

If you're looking for quick and easy, I just might have a link to a good project for you here :-) These are not all necessarily holiday-themed pieces, just pieces that I think you'll like to share. I'll be sharing more tutorials throughout the next couple of weeks...right up until it's almost too late. Really though, if you're going to make something for someone, it's never too late!

Christmas trees pins

Polymer clay greeting card necklace

Eyeglass holder necklace

Enchanted charm bracelet

Button charm necklace

Sparkle wire wrap ring

The easiest polymer clay earrings

Mixed metals necklace

Chain mail bead earrings

Faerie bells necklace

Ethiopian cross necklace

Cobalt and crystal bracelet

Simple pom-pom earrings

Sparkling Pin

Champagne bubbles necklace

Leaf earrings

Bubble earrings

Cherry donut necklace

Pearl-dangle pendant

Stamped resin pendant necklace

Optical lens pendant

Hanging the Moon necklace

Fishing for Trout necklace

Beaded bauble necklace

Wired up beach rock

Textured polymer clay pendant

The simplest pendant necklace

Lots more ideas can be found in our Tutorials posts. Some of these projects are fast and easy, some take more time, but there is plenty there to get you going!

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Recent publications: November 2011

2011-11-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

Making Bead Flowers and Bouquets by Virginia Nathanson

Stitch Workshop: Right-Angle Weave by Editors of Bead&Button magazine

Jewelry for the New Romantic: Unexpected Techniques with Crystals and Beading Wire by Nealay Patel

The Art of Resin Clay: Techniques and Projects for Creating Jewelry and Decorative Objects by Sherri Haab, Rachel Haab and Michelle Haab

Metal Artist's Workbench: Demystifying the Jeweler's Saw by Thomas Mann

Stunning Jewelry Made Easy by Svetlana Kunina

Fabulous Florals: A Beadweaving Garden by Elizabeth Townes

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Ocean Lariat - stringing a new necklace

2011-11-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

Long necklaces are so much fun, and lariats are a perfect style to capitalize on this long, lean line. Grab a handful of accent beads in ocean colors, and you can put together a fun necklace for a breezy summer day.

Materials & Tools
4 grams 11/0 crystal aurora borealis seed beads
2 grams 4 mm silver glass tube beads
19 6/0 frosted blue seed beads
16 13 x 7 mm blue aurora borealis flat oval beads
19 8 mm crystal aurora borealis lentils, side-drilled
4 2 mm sterling silver rounds
4 4 mm sterling silver daisy spacers
20 mm sterling silver pendant with center hole, fish design
Sterling silver seahorse charm with bail
3 size 2 sterling silver crimp tubes
2 sterling silver head pins
70 inches of .014 diameter beading wire

Flat nose pliers
Round nose pliers
Wire cutters
Measuring tape

1. String a crimp tube and 19 of the 11/0 crystal ab seed beads onto one end of your beading wire. Pass it through the bail of the seahorse charm and back up through the crimp tube. Snug up the beads and flatten the tube. Add a silver glass tube bead and 10 more seed beads. Bury the beading wire end in these beads and clip it off.

2. Choose one of your three types of larger accent beads (the 6/0 blue seed beads, the flattened ovals, and the side-drilled lentils) and string it on. For the rest of the strand, you will alternate sections of smaller 11/0 seed beads and 4 mm tube beads with these larger accent beads. Add the equivalent of 15 small seed beads between the accent beads, randomly substituting a tube bead for 5 seed beads. Add the accent beads randomly as well; try to avoid the look of a regularly repeating pattern.

3. When you have beaded approximately 28 to 30 inches of the wire, end this strand with 10 11/0 seed beads and a tube. Add a crimp tube and 19 more 11/0 seed beads. Pass this strand through the bail of your pendant, and thread the wire back up through the crimp tube. Pull the wire snug and flatten the tube.

4. To begin the second strand, add only 10 11/0 seed beads before stringing on your first accent bead. Then return to the pattern of 15 small beads between each accent bead. This first shorter section will allow the beads on the two strands to be somewhat offset from each other. When this strand is also approximately 28 to 30 inches long, end it with 10 11/0 seed beads and a tube. Add a crimp tube and 19 more 11/0 seed beads and set it aside.

5. On each of your two head pins, slide on a 2mm sterling silver round, a daisy spacer, a flattened oval bead, another spacer and another round. Create a wrapped loop at the top of one, making the loop large enough to be a bail. Create a smaller wrapped loop at the top of the second, wrapping it around the larger loop of the first.

6. Thread your wire with the seed beads at the end through the larger loop, passing the wire back up through the crimp tube and a few more of the beads. Pull the wire snug and flatten the crimp tube. Clip off the wire end close and bury it in the next bead.

Copyright 2011 Cyndi Lavin. Not to be reprinted, resold, or redistributed for profit. May be printed out for personal use or distributed electronically provided that entire file, including this notice, remains intact.

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Gift guide for handmade jewelry lovers

2011-11-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

KELLYM.Jewels Starting Friday, November 25, 2011, free shipping on all orders and take 10%-20% off our entire collection! Plus complimentary gift wrapping on all orders!

Little Gems Jewelry, LLC FREE Shipping on all of our eco-conscious jewelry purchased through December 31, 2011. Use coupon Code: FREESHIPPING

ChezChani Fun gifts for your favourite people, including yourself!

Unique Jewelry and Components Beautiful finished Jewelry for gift giving or Components for creating your own designs.

Bliss Designs We love pearls! Use Coupon Code 20BLISS for 20% off everything purchased online. Always Free shipping, gift wrapping by request. Heirloom quality freshwater pearl & sterling silver jewelry.

Mary Tafoya's Seriousbeadin' Unique, vintage and handcrafted supplies for the discerning craft fanatic! Vintage sequins on the strand, vintage rhinestones & beads, ethnic and natural components for your one-of-a-kind jewelry creations.

Beads of Courage Artist Gallery Support Beads of Courage programs this holiday season and receive free shipping on orders over $50 through the end of the year. Use code 11BEADART at checkout.

Pacific Jewelry Designs Where you can find the perfect jewelry for Holiday gift giving or those great Holiday parties! For the entire month of December just enter code holiday20 at checkout for 20% off your entire order. Remember, worldwide shipping is always free!

Nandi Designs Jewelry From now until Jan 26 2012, Beading Arts readers can get 20% off their jewelry purchase by using the code beadingarts11.

Images: Stock.xchng

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Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

2011-11-25T11:54:00.001-05:00

Snap Out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean discovered a very special pendant that expresses the way a person feels in a very special, amazing way!

About.com Jewelry Making
Combine those jewelry techniques - this time with wire and fused glass.

Art Bead Scene
Gaea's ceramics pair up with Vintaj Brass to create some gorgeous Victorian Christmas jewelry inspiration!

Resin Crafts!
This week Carmi shares some useful information about resin and cold temperatures.

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Making your bead stringing designs unique

2011-11-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

Make your own components or beads

Work with asymmetrical designs

Use multiple strands

Develop a recognizable style

Use unusual materials

Choose daring color combinations

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends who live in the USA! Though everyone around here will be lying on the floor and groaning from too much turkey and trimmings, I still wanted to share some more designs with you that I thought might give you some ideas for your own work.

I'm not suggesting that you reproduce these designs exactly, but instead that you think about the elements that we've been talking about (listed above) and see how you might include some of them in your own work. There aren't even tutorials available for all of these pieces, but most are simple enough to figure out!

Spring Fling

The beads are made from fabric, fulfilling the first directive, to make your own components or beads.

Flapper

An asymmetrical design, anyone?

Egyptian Scarab Lariat

Multiple strands and some bold color combos too!

Chinese Fortune Necklace

Unusual materials...got to eat a lot of fortune cookies too!

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Book review: Metalwork Jewelry

2011-11-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

Whether you like industrial chic, mixed media jewelry, or steampunk, Metalwork Jewelry by Linda Peterson has some projects that you will love. Her techniques section is very helpful, including information on doing simple soldering by either torch or soldering iron, making some simple wire findings, using a dapping block, etching with ferric chloride, and adding a patina with ammonia and salt!

Linda mixes lots of unexpected materials with metal in the projects section of her book. I particularly liked what she did with Friendly Plastic, wire stitching, alcohol inks, textured and shaped aluminum cans, metal mixed with denim and other fabrics, soda can tabs, resin, and wire with found objects. My very favorite project is a simple pair of etched and domed earrings that you'll find on page 46...take a look and tell me what you think if you get a copy!

This is another winner from Cico Books. Thanks for all the inspiration, Linda!

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Fall Fantasy beaded necklace set by Eileen Bergen

2011-11-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

My friend Eileen Bergen, over at The Artful Crafter, has shared this fabulous tutorial with us! Isn't this set just perfect for autumn? All the details for making your own set, including the step-by-steps and a precise materials list can be found at the link above. Thanks, Eileen!

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Rock Candy necklace - another stringing project

2011-11-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

Beautiful toggles just beg to be worn in the front! This asymmetrical design features large lampwork glass beads that suit the front closure style, and small round beads to keep your neck comfortable.

Materials & Tools
8 25mm lampwork glass beads, spirals and bicones
17 8mm fancy jasper beads, round
35 4mm fancy jasper beads, round
4 5mm sterling silver squash beads
1 2mm sterling silver bead, round
2 size 2 sterling silver crimp tubes
Heart-shaped sterling silver toggle and bar set
2inch sterling silver head pin
5 mm jump ring
24 inches of .019 inch diameter beading wire

Flat nose pliers
Round nose pliers
Wire cutters
Small file
Measuring tape

1. If your lampwork beads are different colors or styles like mine, arrange them into a pleasing pattern, with one group of three beads, one group of four, and one single bead left over for the dangle.

2. Cut a 24 inch piece of beaded wire, and crimp it around the heart-shaped toggle loop. Slide on a silver squash bead and four fancy jasper 8mm rounds. Clip the end of the wire so that it stays buried in the beads. Add your group of three lampwork beads, alternating with 8mm rounds. Finish with three of the 8mm rounds.

3. In order to have the necklace feel comfortable around the back of your neck, string on all 35 of the fancy jasper 4mm rounds.

4. Add three fancy jasper 8mm rounds, and then add the group of four lampwork beads, alternating with 8mm rounds. Finish with two of the 8mm rounds and a silver squash bead.

5. Slide on a crimp tube and the toggle bar, take the wire back through the crimp and a couple of beads. Crimp the wire firmly and clip the end close.

6. Slide your remaining lampwork bead onto the headpin, surrounded by silver squash beads. Add the 2mm silver round, and create a wrapped loop, filing any rough edges. Attach the dangle to the heart-shaped toggle with the jump ring.

Copyright 2011 Cyndi Lavin. Not to be reprinted, resold, or redistributed for profit. May be printed out for personal use or distributed electronically provided that entire file, including this notice, remains intact.

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Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

2011-11-18T18:29:00.001-05:00

Resin Crafts!
A brand new resin has been created for jewelers and launched on the Resin Crafts blog this week!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews the fabulous book, Sharilyn Miller's Arty Jewelry III! Is Sharilyn great, or what?

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew muses on the importance of having time to think and "tinker".

About.com Jewelry Making
Here are some tips and design ideas for picking the right bracelet for the right person.

Art Bead Scene
Heather offers a free project: a quick and simple nest necklace that uses wire to elegantly frame an art bead.

Beads & Books
Join Michelle's last beading challenge for 2011 with a winter-themed kit featuring handmade porcelain beads by Chinook Jewelry, Czech glass, pearls, and ribbon!

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Unique bead stringing with Michelle Mach

2011-11-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

Make your own components or beads

Work with asymmetrical designs

Use multiple strands

Develop a recognizable style

Use unusual materials

Choose daring color combinations

Next up in our November series on making your strung jewelry truly unique is my friend Michelle Mach. You'll know Michelle from Beading Daily, and also from the wonderful blog hops that she sponsors. Michelle graciously gave me permission to share these terrific projects with you.

Celestial Sparkle
If you can only afford a single strand of beautiful borosilicate glass beads, what should you do with them? Michelle chooses to wear them in an asymmetric style, featuring a stunning clasp.

Sari Sunrise
Multiple strands of relatively inexpensive beads make a wonderful support for a gorgeous pendant!

Sorbet in August
Combine some unusual playmates to create a bright, fun, casual design.

Introduction
Tammy Powley
Michelle Mach

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Book review: Maggie Meister's Classical Elegance

2011-11-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited! The next wonderful volume in Lark Publishing's Master Class series came out in August, and it's a beauty! Maggie Meister has authored Classical Elegance, a gorgeous set of projects inspired by Maggie's love of classical architecture, mosaics, tiles, and jewelry.

It is probably best if you already have some beadweaving experience before you tackle most of Maggie's designs. Still, there are very clear instructions for many beadweaving stitches included, so an extremely motivated and patient beginner will be able to reproduce some of the projects and work up to the more advanced ones. Even the most difficult are composed of smaller components joined together.

Maggie shows you how to combine the different stitches, flowing from one stitch into another, which may be exactly the step you are missing to take your own beadweaving designs to the next level. Gorgeous gorgeous projects and solid technical information...this book is inspirational in all the right ways!

Lark Publishing has made several resources available to help you decide about this book: they have posted two free projects and an interview!

Free project PDF of the Artemisia Earrings

Special BONUS project for the Fiore Earrings, NOT included in the book!

Interview with Maggie Meister

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Garland ropes and baubles

2011-11-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

My friend Stacey Gibson shared a seed bead pattern with me recently that I think you will enjoy very much. She has created a flower garland rope pattern which is for sale both at Bead Patterns and in her Etsy shop, Unbridled Design. She has also come up with a very clever clasp design that she calls a bauble 'n' loop, which is available for free at the Bead Patterns link above! Pretty, huh? Is there no end to what can be done with spiral ropes?

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Beads of Courage!

2011-11-14T11:23:00.001-05:00

This year my friend Lori Greenberg, after having worked with the non-profit Beads of Courage for some time, started their online Artist Gallery, ArtistsGive.com, to help them raise money for their programs. Beads of Courage provides arts-in-medicine programs in over 100 hospitals around the world for children facing life-threatening illness. The program provides handmade beads for each treatment, procedure and milestone a child experiences in the process of treatment. Each bead serves to honor their STRENGTH and COURAGE. Kids average 500 beads in the course of a cancer treatment!

You'll be able to find the BOC banner in the sidebar of Beading Arts...this link will take you to the ArtistsGive.com, the official online artists gallery for BOC, where you can select from dozens of handmade beads and finished jewelry. All items on ArtistsGive.com and the Beads of Courage gallery are handmade by supporting artists and proceeds help support Beads of Courage programs as well as the arts and artists.

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Making an eyeglass holder necklace

2011-11-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

My eyes are not quite what they used to be! Although I don't need glasses full-time yet, there are times when I need a little help. That is how this project came to be: my drugstore glasses needed a place to hang around where they'd be handy. I don't like the typical eyeglass holders where the glasses hang from both ear-pieces and get in my way, banging around. Instead, I was always hooking the glasses down the neckline of my shirt. How much nicer it would be to have a loop hanging just a bit lower where they could hang without unbuttoning my blouses for me!

This project is for a beginner stringer. If you already have experience, you could easily substitute any other beads that you choose to make the design as complex as you like. Just follow the basics proportions given.

Following these directions exactly will give you a 24 inch continuous loop that you'll just slip on over your head. It has a looped toggle or charm hanging from it so you can stash your glasses when you don't need them. This is a necklace you'll want to be wearing whenever you work on other beading pieces!

Materials & Tools
36 inches beading wire, .019 inches in diameter
42 8x4mm fire polished Czech crystal rondelles
25 8mm fire polished Czech crystal rounds
#8 seed beads in a coordinating or contrasting color
4 10mm Bali silver or other metal beads
7 sterling silver 2mm tube crimps
Sterling silver toggle or charm with large loop for eyeglasses and small loop for wire to pass through (see examples below)

2 alligator clips
Wire cutters
Chain nose pliers or crimping pliers
Measuring tape

1. Cut your beading wire to 36 inches and place an alligator clip securely about 5 inches from one end.

2. String on 5 sterling silver 2mm tube crimps, but do not crimp them.

3. String 8-1/2 inches of Czech crystal rondelles, alternating with seed beads and accented by 2 of the 10mm silver beads, in a pattern that pleases you. In my example, I have strung 2 inches of rondelles, then a silver bead flanked by 2 round crystals, repeating the pattern, and ending with another 2 inches of rondelles.

4. For the next 2 inches, string only round Czech crystals alternating with seed beads. Add a 2mm tube crimp bead. String 3 more inches of round Czech crystals and seed beads and add the last crimp bead.

5. Place an alligator clip securely at the end of your work, and begin stringing from the other side.

6. Slide the small loop of the toggle over the 5 central tube crimps. Allow it to hang loose. Begin stringing and match the pattern that you created on the first side in step 3. In addition, string 2 more inches of round Czech crystals alternating with seed beads at the end.

7. Take the loose end you were just working with and pass it through the beads and crimps on the other side until you have passed the second crimp and one round Czech crystal.

8. Pass the other wire end through one round Czech crystal.

9. Pull the wires snug, and flatten or crimp the crimp tubes. Clip the wires close to the work and ease the ends into the next bead.

Copyright 2011 Cyndi Lavin. Not to be reprinted, resold, or redistributed for profit. May be printed out for personal use or distributed electronically provided that entire file, including this notice, remains intact.

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Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

2011-11-11T08:51:00.001-05:00

Beads & Books
Michelle shares upcoming deadlines for beading & jewelry making contests and challenges.

Cindy Gimbrone Beads
Cindy is off her loom this week! Come see her new RAW book!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie mourns the passing of a furry friend by making a pair of special cuff bracelets to honor her memory.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean's famous friend, the Great Margot Potter, has some wonderful news! Read all about it on Jean's blog!

A Bead A Day
Lisa shares her love for the creative community! Connecting with others is what it's all about!

About.com Jewelry Making
Lifetime has a new TV show that uses Project Runway as a template but the designers are making accessories instead of clothing. What are your thoughts about this new show?

Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene announces its annual Holiday Ornament Blog Hop!

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Unique bead stringing with Tammy Powley

2011-11-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

Make your own components or beads

Work with asymmetrical designs

Use multiple strands

Develop a recognizable style

Use unusual materials

Choose daring color combinations

Last week, I challenged you to think about different tactics that you can use to make your own handmade beaded jewelry unique. I am so excited to tell you that several of my extremely talented friends have stepped forward and offered to share not only inspiration pictures, which was all I really was expecting from them, but also TUTORIALS to go with almost every design!!! Wow! If some of them catch your eye, remember to vary the materials, colors, and exact design in order to make the results truly your own!

First up is my friend Tammy Powley. You'll know Tammy as the About.com guide to jewelry making, and as the author of many many books on beading and jewelry! Thank you so much for these wonderful projects, Tammy!

Endlessly Knotted No Clasp Crystal Necklace Tutorial
Tammy shows you how to knot between beads and then connect the ends so that you have no clasp and can just pull it over your head to wear.

Midnight Pearl, Crystal, and Chain Necklace
Tammy made a beaded strung necklace and then extended the length with a large piece of chain. You can wear the chain in the back or pull the necklace around and wear the chain on the side. This is a great example of working with asymmetrical designs.

Ceramic Dragonfly and Fiber Bracelet
Use a ceramic piece as the focal along with a large chunky amethyst beads and string on a double strand of glass beads onto leather. The clasp connects to the front of the bracelet. Tammy has used a very bold color combination here!

Polymer Clay Pumpkin Vine Necklace
Learn to make pumpkin beads using polymer clay, and then string them up onto a necklace. Need I mention that Tammy is showing us how to make our own unique beads here? Since it's too late for Halloween this year, consider what you could make for Christmas!

Introduction
Tammy Powley
Michelle Mach

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Yay for Cherie!!

2011-11-09T17:06:00.001-05:00

Cherie Burbach, who writes too many things to mention them ALL by name (hit the link, you'll be able to take your choice!) is the winner of the delicious bunch of beads from Vintage Beads from Europe. I know everyone wishes it coulda been them, but I also know that you'll join me in congratulating Cherie. You will, won't you? :-)

Jewelry artist: Kay Thomerson

2011-11-09T08:15:00.000-05:00

Kay, of Kayz Kreationz, sent me this gorgeous picture of a unique bead stringing design she made. The donut was wire-wrapped and the earrings are lengths of copper chain with beads at the end. I love the copper loop spacers that she's used! This set is up for grabs on Kay's etsy shop right now (see the link above).

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Book review: Rachel Nelson-Smith's Bead Riffs

2011-11-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

I love all the books that are included in Lark's Beadweaving Master Class series, and Bead Riffs is no exception. This time it's kind of funny though, because I really don't like jazz at all, and jazz metaphors and imagery is what anchors and inspires this book. Rachel Nelson-Smith, besides being an amazing bead artist (remember Seed Bead Fusion? brilliant!) is also a jazz singer, so it makes perfect sense to me that one passion would end up being the inspiration for another. I can totally get behind that.

With Rachel, you expect that you're going to see wonderful seed bead designs, using peyote or right angle weave, or more frequently a combination of the two. Combining stitches is what allows her to construct deceptively intricate forms which usually break down to be quite attainable for anyone with some experience in the two stitches. There are 23 gorgeous projects to challenge you.

One thing that I really like about the approach in this book is the way Rachel approaches color. She has put together "collections" of colors and given them (of course!) jazz-inspired names. Throughout the book, you'll find examples of the projects that are beaded in different colorways so that you can get an idea of just how different your pieces can look as you vary the colors and the exact details. After all, that's what riffs are :-)

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Tips for Making Your Homemade Jewelry Look Like it Cost a Fortune

2011-11-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

A guest post byRoman Sharf of Luxury Bazaar

In these lean economic times, luxury may seem like the furthest thing from most peoples' minds, and yet luxury jewelry is still a trend for many sophisticates. However, the truth is that you don't need to spend large amounts of money to have elite-looking jewelry; on the contrary, with a bit of creativity and a good sense of style, you can make your own show-stopping jewelry pieces that would look right at home in many boutiques. Just follow these important tips:

Play With Varying Sizes and Shapes

While many think that beads do not go beyond the small white circles that carried initials that you used to spell out your name as a kid, there is in fact a huge diversity of beads available. String beads of varying sizes and shapes together to create an uber-chic and unique look that no one has. Be bold with beads!

Flowing Ribbons

Ribbons are no longer just for ballerinas. A metallic ribbon in a neutral/earthy color like grey can give your piece an extra shimmery effect. Place an assortment of beads (bugle beads compliment metallic ribbons very nicely), pearls, and semi-precious stones that you have around your home on the ribbon and create a dazzling bead and ribbon combo. This type of jewelry is also a great way to re-purpose any broken and unusable jewelry.

Dye Your Beads

Dye is to die for! Using beads made from wood is the easiest and creates the best results. A quick DIY dye job can give your string of beads a more earthy - and almost vintage - touch. Dye is a great luxury-building tool because it is so versatile; for instance, you can opt for a simple and elegant monochromatic piece, or you can alternate with all of the colors under the sun. There are infinite color combinations to implement , so get creative and pick tones that will complement your wardrobe. Best of all, if you feel like your creativity got a little too out of hand, no worries - you can always re-dye and repeat until you get it right!

Loopy Beads

A great way to make beads look like one-of-a-kind concoctions is to create crazy geometrical patterns that harken back to the art deco and vintage glamour of the early 20th century. Wooden beads are not only great for dye jobs, they are also easily manipulated and sturdy enough for eccentric patterns. For instance, with the right wire string you can use wooden beads to create basic interlocking loops. Looped wooden beads can create exotic patterns and add hints of tribal chicness to any piece; try this look because these days, tribal fashion is sashaying down the top catwalks from Milan to Paris.

Bring the Bling with Sequins

If you thought that sequin had stayed in the 80s, think again. Fashion is always cyclical, and sequin has definitely made its comeback. Choose your chunkiest beads and wrap them in any color of sequin that you like. Experiment with alternative sizes and see which combinations you like the best. The only potential pitfall to using sequin is that if you overuse it, it could look like you are wearing tacky Christmas ornaments. If done correctly, however, sequin is a very fun material that is perfect for adding a bit of shine to a light-hearted jewelry piece.

Play with Clay

Sculpting and creating jewelry pieces with clay can yield some very earthy and rustic pieces of jewelry - and best of all, you can customize them right down to the smallset detail! If you want to add touches of femininity, glue some sparkling beads to your piece or attach them with strings wrapped around the clay base. Class them up a bit by securing small diamonds or other precious stones into the clay itself.

The Art of Mixology

Celebrity fashionista Kim Kardashian is renowned for mixology. In essence, mixology is mixing and matching your expensive, inexpensive and homemade items into one distinct outfit. Perhaps you've got some LeVian or Tiffany & Co. pieces in your jewelry box, in which case consider mixing them in with your own homemade pieces to add that trendy "je ne sais quoi" vibe to any outfit.

Layer Beads

Let's face it, with one necklace made of beads, you run the risk of looking old-school in a bad way (as in, more like your grandmother than like a fashionable 1950s starlet). One necklace is just so cavewoman chic. You can speed up to the 21st century by layering lots of your own beaded necklaces together at once. Also, you can play with varying lengths and shapes, customizing them to suit your wardrobe and body type.

The art of craft will never fade, but distinct designs certainly can take off and become the next big thing. Who knows, your designs might be such a hit that Kate Bosworth, Cher Coulter, and other jewelry trendsetters will come knocking at your door for more. If you've got a smart sense of style, your luxurious homemade jewelry can even end up making you a nice profit, despite the recession. After all, fashion can be taught, but your personal style is yours forever!

Author BylineRoman Sharf founded Luxury Bazaar at the turn of the century, and has since grown it into one of the world's largest luxury watch, jewelry, and art dealerships. From vintage timepieces and estate jewelry to cutting-edge paintings, Luxury Bazaar delivers quality luxury goods at competitive prices.

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Stringing projects to get you started

2011-11-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

I'll be sharing some new projects throughout this month, but if you can't possibly wait to get started, don't forget about the projects archived on this page: Tutorials to get you started. You'll find a tab for it up there at the top of the page and it's also over in the sidebar so you'll always be able to find beginner projects. The newest ones are added to the bottom of the list. If you're a beginner stringing, try these:

Love is a Rose

Summer Flowers

Bali Hai

Sunlit Seas

Fun in the Sun

Copper and Bone

Ethiopian Crosses

Flapper

Chinese Fortune

Copper Glow

The simplest pendant necklace

Knotting a continuous necklace

Tips for making lariats

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Giveaway on Bumbershoot Supplies

2011-11-05T08:00:00.000-04:00

There's a $100 gift certificate up for grabs at Bumbershoot Supplies! The deadline for entry is November 23, but don't delay and miss out!

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Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

2011-11-04T08:33:00.000-04:00

Art Bead Scene
The November Monthly Challenge is announced, revealing a historical painting of a beautiful woman in autumn tones.

Cindy Gimbrone Beads
This week's Minding the Business is about taking care of you.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean re-reviews a book by Maggie Meister she finds particularly outstanding.

About.com Jewelry Making
Make a fall patch of pumpkin beads using polymer clay.

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Make your handmade beaded jewelry unique!

2011-11-03T08:00:00.000-04:00

What makes strung beaded jewelry unique? How can you set your own work apart from the masses of perfectly nice handmade beaded necklaces out there? Consider some of the following ideas: throughout the month, we're going to look at some of these ideas in more depth!

Cluny Grey

Use multiple strands and asymmetrical designs

Glam Originals

Develop a recognizable style

Cindy Gimbrone Beads
Make your own components

Lang Lang Inspiration

Use unusual materials

Jewelz Studio

Be daring with color

Introduction
Tammy Powley
Michelle Mach

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Bead giveaway: Vintage Beads from Europe

2011-11-02T09:10:00.002-04:00

***Free Stuff Alert***

Do you remember me telling you about a business called Vintage Beads from Europe? Well, the owner, Vente Viteikaite has made it possible for us to have a giveaway here on Beading Arts! The packets of beads that you see above are up for grabs...except for a few of the beads that I've used for projects over the past few weeks. Just leave me a comment below telling me how crazy you are about vintage beads and you'll automatically be entered to win. If you tweet or post on Facebook or other social spots about the contest, you can leave a second comment and be entered twice!

Please make sure that your link will lead me to an email address, or else I won't be able to contact you. No contact, no win, and I simply have to go on to the next person. Deadline: November 9, 2011.

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Calls for entries and submissions

2011-11-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

Refined

Deadline: 11/21/11

Altered Couture

Deadline: 12/15/11

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Innovative stringing month on Beading Arts!

2011-11-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

One of the first beading techniques that most people learn is how to string. After moving on to bead weaving, bead embroidery, and mixed media techniques, some of us forget about that thrill that we got when we first learned how to string a pleasing necklace or bracelet. We forget how exciting it was to learn how to finish off a piece with a polished-looking closure.

Never forget the basics!

All this month, we're going to revisit basic stringing and figure out ways to make our pieces unique! I'll have a number of projects and featured artists for you, plus a fabulous vintage bead giveaway, all dancing around the issue of how to make your stringing projects unique. Do you have a piece you'd like to share, or have you written up a tutorial for an innovative stringing piece that will help take our work to the next level? If you'd like to share, please drop me a line at cyndi @ mazeltovjewelry.com (remove the spaces).

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Polymer clay artist: Ann Kruglak

2011-10-31T08:00:00.000-04:00

I believe that everyone is intrinsically creative, and the variety and amazing strangeness of our dreams proves. We all dream, which at core is, a creative act. Dreams and their origin in the deep psyche have been central to my life path, and to my art which connects me to my spiritual center, and the greater Mystery of the universe. I treasure beauty (in nature and art and all its forms) as a gift that infuses my life with meaning, joy, wonder and gratitude. By creating art, I work to bring more beauty into the world, in hopes of sharing a sense of wonder and wholeness with others. I created Mystic Dreamer: Art for the Earth, as a service project, to donate 100% of proceeds to rainforest preservation (World Land Trust - US and Nature and Culture International) as a way of giving back to the Earth. My deepest hope is that my art project will inspire others to bring their gifts of service into the world.

Visit Ann on Facebook for ongoing dialog on art, dreams, creativity and spirituality.

Visit her Etsy Shop for gifts and treats.

Deep Space Kachina

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Polymer clay artist: Jackie Ryan

2011-10-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hummingbirds and butterflies, gems of peridot, green garnet, Swarovski crystals

Jackie Ryan makes beautiful polymer clay pieces that are featured on her website, Kydo Jewellery. You can also find out what she has been up to on her blog. Jackie writes:

I started out in the arts as a botanical painter later a soft sculputre artist then into making jewellery with silver and gold but, a few years back I was introduced to Premo Polymer Clay, as a painter I thought 'it's a bit like paint in solid form' many years ago I worked with clay but this was different I had colour now and many more colours could be mixed from the basics! To begin with, I made different items from small sculptures to jewellery, which is now my preference.

I prefer to make appliquéd raised and sculptural designs I make mainly necklaces some are very elaborate, but all contain gemstones, opals, fossils, pearls, vintage Swarovski crystals or other elements of silver or gold. I work from my own sketches and make all my own templates, each piece in a design is formed by hand.

Last year with the high cost of gold and silver, I got to thinking how nice it would be to work with gold clay that I could shape into my own designs for necklaces and pendants, a lovely setting for beautiful designer Jaspers, Agates and Gemstones etc, I used carefully chosen quality stones, pearls or crystals to add the perfect necklace to the pendants and neckpieces.So working from my original sketches; I spent the next six months building a collection of art necklaces and pendants. And so the Gold Collection was born.

The inspiration. Water plays a large part in my life as I live close to the ocean, enjoy local lakes and streams, with reeds and swans, birds of all kinds, I love the ponds in our garden, flowers, trees are important to me, also mosses and ferns. Each piece of jewellery I sketch has an inspiration in nature and the natural world around me. Sometimes it is a shape I want to capture or maybe a bird or a beautiful Jasper cab inspires a picture, or a glorious Sunset over the sea. Whatever lifts thought above the mundane into beauty and creativity.

My jewellery has been in magazines and I have won contests. I also had three pieces accepted for the Ganoksin online exhibition Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder.

Misty Morning - a necklace I made for myself, Jasper shapes with peach & grey moonstone necklace. Inspired by an early morning walk to watch a family of swans some years ago (a magical moment I will always remember).

Flames - a flame agate cab with vintage Swarovski crystals tipping the flames and embellishing the chain.

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

2011-10-28T08:11:00.004-04:00

About.com Jewelry Making
Break into glass jewelry making with these tutorials and techniques.

Beads & Books
How long does it really take you to make a piece of jewelry? Michelle shares the long process behind a simple pair of earrings.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi has a cute fabric brooch idea for Halloween.

Cindy Gimbrone Beads
This week's Tuesday Tangle features handmade earrings of metal clay and wire.

Resin Crafts!
This week we have a nice series showing you how to use an ice tray to make fun skull and bone cast pieces.

Snap out of it,Jean! There's beading to be done!
Wonderful, really exciting giveaway from Beaducation! Read all about it and sign up on Jean's blog!

A Bead A Day
Are you sharing your talents with others? Lisa shares her recent experience teaching a group of friends a simple, but rewarding project.

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Artist profile: Cindy Lietz

2011-10-27T08:00:00.000-04:00

Artist: Cindy Lietz
Business name: Polymer Clay Tutor

Website & Blog:
Polymer Clay Tutor blog
Bead Videos, video library

Cindy, how do you describe your work?
I would describe my work and my style of teaching to be easy going, friendly, nature inspired, a little rustic, sometimes quirky and a whole lot of fun! I consider myself your partner and guide in the learning experience rather than your master, hence the name Polymer Clay Tutor.

What is your creative process like?
My creative mind is always whirring...think several hamsters on wheels trying to outrun each other. And it is a good thing it is that busy, because I have made the commitment to come up with a new polymer clay or jewelry making tutorial each and every week for my students. As well as creating new techniques and samples for the tutorials, there are a lot of non-creative tasks that also need to be done on a daily basis...so there is a lot of multi-tasking going on during my creative process.

My laptop desk and clay table are up next to each other and in an L-shape formation. That means that while working on the computer, blogging, reading emails and answering questions, I can spin my chair and work on an idea or project whenever inspiration strikes. You can always tell when I have been sanding beads while working on the computer, by the white clay dust on the keyboard and mouse!

What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry?
I am a self taught mixed media artist and polymer clay instructor. All my training has come from making tons of stuff, in a gazzillion types of mediums and making a whole lot of mistakes.

I believe that mistakes are not failures...they are just learning tools. It is a very satisfying process to be able to figure out solutions to problems in techniques that didn't work the way you wanted them to.

Some very cool techniques have come out of an experiment that went 'terribly wrong'. You could never be done learning and improving your skills, there are just too many cool possibilities and not enough time to try them all. It's a journey of constantly working on better ways of doing things while improving and enjoying the process along the way.

As far as when I became a professional craft instructor, my very first teaching experience was actually on television. A friend and TV Producer saw some of my work done with recycled materials and wondered if I'd be interested in doing my own 1 hour Christmas Craft Special for a public television station here in Canada. I was, and we filmed it a couple months later.

The show was called The Sophisticated Scrounge and it aired nationally. I got pregnant shortly after with my daughter, and felt the Television "guru" lifestyle wasn't going to work for me and my new little family. So I transitioned into teaching local workshops in the Continuing Education system (Evenings and weekends).

Things eventually progressed to a completely online video based teaching strategy that my husband Doug and I now run full time. Not your normal way of going about starting a craft business but one that has worked well for us.

Is there a tool or material that you can't imagine living without?
Besides the obviously critical need for polymer clay and an oven to bake it in, my most used tools are a pasta machine and a sharp clay blade. I suppose I could 'live' without them, but I wouldn't want to.

What inspires you to create?
Life around me is what inspires me most. Flowers in the garden become inspiration for beautiful color palettes and stunning shaped beads. A sunset becomes a Teardrop Blend. An etched glass plate makes for wonderful textures when pressed into clay. A quirky little doodle of a Skull and Crossbones becomes a fabulous polymer clay cane. Inspiration is everywhere... you just need to open your eyes.

What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?
Running your own business based on your creative passions, may look like sunshine and butterflies to a lot of people, but you and I both know it is not an easy path. You need to sacrifice a lot at the beginning as far as income and free time. Plus the workload and stress is way heavier than most people imagine. Then as you begin to succeed, the 'haters' come out of the woodwork. That can be a hard thing emotionally to deal with, especially if you weren't expecting it, like I wasn't.

If you have a vision and just stick with it (usually past what friends and family think is wise to do), you can make it. And I tell you there is nothing more rewarding than having thrilled customers writing you long letters about how much joy your tutorials have given them. How they feel excited to get into their studios and create. And the freedom it gives them from their stress and in some cases, physical pain. Those touching letters and comments make every grueling hour it took to get where we have with our business, completely worth while. It is so much bigger than learning how to make a great polymer clay bead...it is about living an inspired life!

What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
Just keep making stuff. Try everything...even styles and techniques you didn't think you'd like. You're going to learn something new in the process. It has been said that you will become one of THE experts in your field when you have spent 10,000 hrs on a particular subject. They didn't say you needed to be a genius... they said you need to put in the time. Just keep working at it. You can only get better with time!

What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
Customer service, writing blog posts, Facebook, Twitter, answering questions, technical issues, etc., etc. Basically I spend 80% of my time on the computer and 20% creating new tutorials and products. Same goes for my husband Doug. It will be good when we can hire some help so that we can free up more time, to do what we are best at. For me that would be creating more content and for him it would doing more marketing and sales (as well as shooting more video). That too, will come with time...soon I hope!

What's your favorite comfort food?
My two favorite comfort foods are Steak and Cake. Nice thing is they rhyme, so it can't easily be forgotten when my Birthday comes along. ;-)

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Recent publications: October

2011-10-26T08:00:00.000-04:00

Dimensional Bead Embroidery: A Reference Guide to Techniques by Jamie Cloud Eakin

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Beading Basics by Georgene Lockwood

Bracelets (Magpie) by Joan Gordon

A Bounty of Bead & Wire Earrings: 50 Fun, Fast Jewelry Projects (A Bounty of Bead & Wire Series) by Nathalie Mornu

The New Encyclopedia of Jewelry-Making Techniques: A Comprehensive Visual Guide to Traditional and Contemporary Techniques by Jinks McGrath

Color, Texture & Casting for Jewelers: Hands-On Demonstrations & Practical Applications by Carles Codina

Craft, Inc. Revised Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Turning Your Creative Hobby into a Successful Business by Meg Mateo Ilasco

How to Sell Your Crafts Online: A Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Sales on Etsy and Beyond by Derrick Sutton

The Absolute Beginners Guide: Making Metal Clay Jewelry: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started by Cindy Thomas Pankopf

Stunning Jewelry Made Easy by Svetlana Kunina

Button Jewellery (Twenty to Make) by Marrianne Mercer

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Polymer clay tutorials from the archives

2011-10-25T08:00:00.000-04:00

So, you already know that I'm not too much of a polymer clay girl, but I do enjoy diving into it once in awhile. I was actually surprised by how many tutorials I have posted that involve polymer clay, including the three that I posted this month!

Making an assemblage style necklace

A polymer clay frame pendant

A textured polymer clay pendant

Polymer clay swirl necklace

Passion flower necklace

Simple polymer clay earrings

Silver leaf polymer clay cabochons

Polymer clay frame necklace

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Beading Arts

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

Yay for Doris!

Giveaway #4 from Lark Books

Recent publications: January 2012

TAST week 4 - cretan stitch

Magazine submissions for beading and jewelry

Reader questions about a bead embroidery bracelet

Yay for Hajer!

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

Giveaway #3 from Lark Books

Look what I got from Jean!

Business or hobby?

TAST week 3 - feather stitch

Online jewelry and beading education

Jewelry and beading school classes

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

Yay for Shel!!

Giveaway #2 from Lark Books

"Three Bezels Plus a Bonus" is ready to go!

How to get your work featured on Beading Arts in 2012

TAST week 2 - blanket stitch

Book review: 21st Century Jewelry

Three Bezels Plus a Bonus

Jewelry and beading shows with classes

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

Call for casting

Giveaways all month long!

Calls for entries and submissions

TAST week 1 - fly stitch

Art Jewelry inspiration

Color and style forecast for Spring/Summer 2012

Jewelry education for 2012

See you in a week!

Merry Christmas!

Yay for Regina!

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

Book review: Dimensional Bead Embroidery

Recent publications: December

Beaded ornament covers

Yay for Jackie!!

Book review and giveaway: Color, Texture, & Casting for Jewelers

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

Some more jewelry gifts for the holidays

InaRae's mixed media necklace

Calls for entries and submissions

Beaded jewelry as decorations

Yay for Nancy!

Book review and giveaway: Ring a Day

Gift guide for handmade jewelry lovers

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

More holiday tutorials from around town

Gift books for the holidays

*****

*****

Beaded ornaments for your tree or table

Book review and giveaway: Chains Chains Chains

Gift guide for handmade jewelry lovers

TAST 2012 - Take a Stitch Tuesday

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

A month of holiday tutorials

Recent publications: November 2011

Ocean Lariat - stringing a new necklace

Gift guide for handmade jewelry lovers

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

Making your bead stringing designs unique

Book review: Metalwork Jewelry

Fall Fantasy beaded necklace set by Eileen Bergen

Rock Candy necklace - another stringing project

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

Unique bead stringing with Michelle Mach

Book review: Maggie Meister's Classical Elegance

Garland ropes and baubles

Beads of Courage!

Making an eyeglass holder necklace

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

Unique bead stringing with Tammy Powley

Yay for Cherie!!

Jewelry artist: Kay Thomerson

Book review: Rachel Nelson-Smith's Bead Riffs